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Standard
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Death is a natural part of life, but the ways in which Australians are dying are changing over time. Heart disease and dementia are the most common causes of deaths. Although Australia outperforms many countries. Alcohol induced deaths are also on the rise.
How many Australians die each year?
In 2023 there were 183,131 recorded deaths in Australia according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), a decrease of 4.1% from 2022. Approximately 52% of these were male deaths while the other 48% were female.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, men are more likely to engage in risky behaviours, more likely to be homeless or in custody, and are more likely to die from leading causes of death like heart disease. As a result, men tend to die at a younger age than women.
Number of deaths by gender
Number of deaths by gender
Gender
Total deaths
Males
96180
Females
86951
In 2023, over half (56%) of all deaths were people aged 80 years and older. Mortality risk typically declines after birth before slowly increasing again over time. In Australia infant mortality is extremely low, at 3.2 deaths per 1,000 live births. According to the World Health Organization in 2020, the global average is 29 per 1,000 births.
Number of deaths by age
Death rate per 100,000
Number of deaths by age
Persons
Death rate per 100,000
0-24
30.7
25-44
72.3
45-64
346.3
65-84
1980.4
85+
13204.0
What is the leading cause of death?
The leading cause of death in Australia is Ischaemic heart disease which killed 16,922 people in 2023. However, dementia is not far behind with Australia’s population ageing. Only 237 deaths separate the top two leading causes in 2023.
Number of deaths by cause
Number of deaths by cause
Causes of death
2014
COVID-19
na
Cirrhosis and other diseases of liver
1764
Cardiac arrhythmias
2142
Hypertensive diseases
2236
Accidental falls
2411
Malignant neoplasm of pancreas
2556
Malignant neoplasms of breast
2850
Influenza and pneumonia
2893
Intentional self-harm [suicide]
2937
Malignant neoplasm of prostate
3109
Diseases of the urinary system
3145
Heart failure and complications and ill-defined heart disease
3457
Malignant neoplasms of lymphoid, haematopoietic and related tissue
4288
Diabetes
4378
Malignant neoplasm of colon, sigmoid, rectum and anus
5306
Chronic lower respiratory diseases
7840
Malignant neoplasm of trachea, bronchus and lung
8274
Cerebrovascular diseases
10745
Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease
11998
Ischaemic heart diseases
20269
Australia has a lower mortality rate than the OECD average for most leading causes of death, particularly when it comes to heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. Lithuania (394.9per 100,000) and Latvia (296.6 per 100,000) have some of the highest rates of heart disease in the OECD.
Australia's rate of mortality from dementia (25.3 per 100,000) is slightly higher than most other OECD countries, but still lower than the Netherlands (51.1 per 100,000) and the United Kingdom (64.2 per 100,000).
Mortality rates by cause of death (per 100,000 people)
Mortality rates by cause of death (per 100,000 people)
Cause of death
OECD
Australia
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases
24.2
24.3
Malignant neoplasms of colon, rectum and anus
25.3
0.4
Dementia
28.0
25.3
Diabetes mellitus
29.4
17.1
Malignant neoplasms of trachea, bronchus, lung
41.8
26.5
Cerebrovascular diseases
75.8
27.1
Ischaemic heart diseases
136.7
52.4
Although heart disease has been the top cause of death for quite a while, dementia is poised to take over that top spot in the coming years. This is largely because over the last decade, deaths from heart disease have been slowing or declining, while deaths from dementia have been rising.
Top 5 causes of death 2013-2022
Top 5 causes of death 2013-2022
Registration year
Ischaemic heart disease
Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease
Cerebrovascular disease
Malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung
Chronic lower respiratory disease
Diabetes
2014
20269
10814
10745
8268
7840
4378
2015
19926
11412
10871
8471
8025
4695
2016
19354
12081
10533
8436
8139
4868
2017
19043
12600
10298
8285
8497
4937
2018
18083
12837
10099
8658
8037
4763
2019
18001
13615
9860
8746
8393
4978
2020
16837
13041
9539
8475
7206
5231
2021
17447
14142
9839
8672
7827
5411
2022
18782
15234
9838
9045
8606
6074
2023
16922
14778
9359
8975
8359
5942
How do men and women differ in the statistics?
Men are twice as likely as women to die from heart disease, with a death rate of 64.4 per 100,000 compared to 30.9 for women. However, women are more likely to suffer dementia with a death rate of 46.9 per 100,000 compared to 37.4 for men.
Men are more likely to die from cancer, with lung cancer killing men at a rate of 31.8 per 100,000 compared to 20.2 for women.
Death rate per 100,000 by gender
Death rate per 100,000 by gender
Causes of death
Males
Females
Ischaemic heart disease
64.4
30.9
Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease
37.4
46.9
Malignant neoplasm of trachea, bronchus and lung
31.8
20.2
Chronic lower respiratory disease
25.8
20.8
Cerebrovascular disease
25.3
24.8
Diabetes
20.4
13.1
Suicide rates for Australians
Men are much more likely than women to die from self-harm. In fact, 75% of all deaths due to self-harm occur in males. In total, there were 3,214 registered suicides in Australia in 2023. Of these, men died at a rate of 18.3 per 100,000, whilst women died at a rate of 5.9.
Death rate per 100,000 by self-harm
Death rate per 100,000 by self-harm
Age group (years)
Males
Females
2014
19.0
6.1
2015
19.8
6.4
2016
18.3
6.1
2017
20.1
6.8
2018
19.7
6.1
2019
20.2
6.5
2020
19.0
5.9
2021
18.8
6.2
2022
19.2
6.2
2023
18.3
5.9
Depression is more likely to be a risk factor for women than men, with 41% of suicides in women occuring with it as risk factor compared to 33% for men. However, divorce and separation is a more likely risk factor for men, with 16% of suicides in men occuring with that as factor compared to 10% in women.
If you are experiencing personal difficulties, these free resources can help:
Whilst drug induced deaths have decreased from a peak of 8.2 per 100,000 in 2017 to 6.1 in 2023. Over the same time period, alcohol induced deaths have risen from a rate of 5.8 per 100,000 to 6.3.
Drugs and alcohol induced death rate per 100,000
Drugs and alcohol induced death rate per 100,000
Years
Drug induced death rate
Alcohol induced death rate
2014
7.4
5.5
2015
7.6
5.7
2016
7.9
5.4
2017
8.2
5.8
2018
7.9
5.2
2019
7.8
5.5
2020
7.7
5.9
2021
7.1
6.2
2022
7
6.8
2023
6.1
6.3
Men are more likely to die from drugs than women, with drug and alcohol deaths in men occurring at a almost twwice the rate of women (1.8 times). This is also the case for alcohol, which men are more than twice as likely to die from. In 2023 8.1 men per 100,000 died from alcohol compared to a rate of 3.3. per 100,000 for women.
Do Australians have plans in place?
According to Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker, 75% of Australian adults have not taken out life insurance. Worryingly, 12% say they have not disclosed their smoking as a way to get a discount on their life insurance policy.
For the 23% of Australians who have taken out life insurance, superannuation, buying a house and having a baby were the biggest reasons for doing so. Women are more likely to take out life insurance after getting married or having a baby, while men are more likely to have life insurance bundled in with their superannuation.
Aussies lying to get a discount on your life insurance policy?
Aussies lying to get a discount on your life insurance policy?
Q21. Have you ever been less than truthful about any of the following to get a discount on your life insurance policy?
Count
No, I haven't lied on my application
73
Mental health
14
Smoker status
12
Alcohol consumption
9
Pre-existing condition
8
Hobbies (e.g. extreme sports)
7
Nature of employment (e.g.didn't disclose a dangerous job)
3
54% of Australians say they have some form of health insurance, while only 25% report they have taken out life insurance. Australians report that they are generally satisfied with the level of their health insurance cover, with 68% of Aussies stating they do not wish they had a higher level of cover.
44% of Australians say they take out health insurance for peace of mind. Other major reasons include the use of extras, avoiding lengthy waiting periods and the luxury of choosing their own hospitals and doctors.
Compare some options for life insurance
If you're concerned about your health and about the welfare of those close to you, why not consider life insurance? Life insurance can provide your family with peace of mind in the event something happens to you.
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How we picked these
Finder Score - Life Insurance
Life Insurance is a little complicated and a lot overwhelming. That's why we made the Finder Score, to make it easier to compare Life Insurance products against each other. Our experts analysed over 30 products and gave each one a score out of 10.
But a higher score doesn't always mean a product is better for you. Your situation is unique, so your policy choice will be too. Don't think of Finder Score as the final word, but as a good place to start your life insurance comparison.
Sophie Wallis is a senior insights analyst with a passion for data storytelling. She spends her time turning complex data into digestible stories and uncovering new consumer trends. When she isn't working, you'll find her planning her next overseas holiday or bingeing on a big novel. Sophie has a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Melbourne.
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Saranga Sudarshan is an experienced analyst specialising in consumer finance research, data analysis and market intelligence. Formerly a research analyst at Frost & Sullivan, he holds a PhD in political philosophy from the University of St Andrews, as well as a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Sydney. Saranga was an Analyst at Finder from 2022 to 2024.
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Saranga's expertise
Saranga
has written
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Finder guides across topics including:
Of the covid related deaths since the commencement/inception of the pandemic, how many were not vaccinated.
Finder
JamesOctober 6, 2021Finder
Hi Graham,
As of this time, we don’t have data on the number of unvaccinated people who died of COVID. To get a more accurate answer, we suggest that you check with the Department of Health. You may call them on 1800 020 080.
Review the Australian Seniors Life and compare options available.
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Of the covid related deaths since the commencement/inception of the pandemic, how many were not vaccinated.
Hi Graham,
As of this time, we don’t have data on the number of unvaccinated people who died of COVID. To get a more accurate answer, we suggest that you check with the Department of Health. You may call them on 1800 020 080.
Best,
James